Biden on Justice Jackson: 'I Think She's the Brightest Person on the Court,' Then 'Divided—and Divined—Defined' (March 18, 2024)

President Joe Biden praised the justice he put on the Supreme Court in terms that got a laugh. “Together, we’ve put the first Black woman on the United States Supreme Court. And I’m mildly prejudiced, but I think she’s the brightest person on the Court. [ Laughter ]” Biden said at a Women’s History Month reception at the White House on March 18, 2024 [1].

The speech also had a garbled line on America’s founding, two White House corrections and a story Biden had told many times before [1].

The video above shows Biden’s remarks at the Women’s History Month reception on March 18, 2024. Quotes are from the American Presidency Project, the National Archives, The Associated Press and the Washington Examiner [1][2][3][4].

”Women Histories Month”

Biden opened by introducing himself. “My name is Joe Biden. [ Laughter ] I’m Jill Biden’s husband. [ Laughter ]” he said. Then he stumbled on the event’s name. “Today is Women Histories Month—Women’s History Month—two of the best days of the year back to back. [ Laughter ]” [1]

“Divided—and Divined—Defined”

Biden tried his familiar line about what makes America different. “And we’re the only nation in the world divided—and divined—defined—every other nation is defined based on geography or ethnicity. We’re the only nation based on an idea,” he said [1].

“2022 and 2024 [2023; White House Correction]”

He got a year wrong while talking about abortion votes. “When reproductive freedom was on the ballot, the American people spoke in 2022 and 2024 [2023; White House correction],” Biden said. The bracketed fix is in the official transcript [1].

Then he pointed to the vice president without naming her. “And with the leadership of this woman to my left here, they’re going to speak out again in 2024,” Biden said [1].

He also needed a fix on a jobs claim. “More women, especially mothers, in the workforce than ever before; the narrowest gender [pay; White House correction] gap on record,” the transcript reads [1].

”I Traveled 17,000 Miles With Him”

To close, Biden told his story about China’s leader. “I was with Xi Jinping in the Tibetan Plateau. I traveled 17,000 miles with him. I’ve spent more time with him than any other world leader. And on the Plateau, he asked me, ‘Can you define America for me?’ This is the God’s truth,” Biden said [1].

“And I said: ‘Yes, I can. One word: possibilities.’” [1]

“They Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet”

He quoted his hometown. “As they say in Claymont, Delaware, where I spent my childhood, ‘They ain’t seen nothing yet.’ [ Laughter ]” Biden said [1].

“Look, you’ve been standing a long time. [ Laughter ] So let me conclude this,” he said before the Xi story [1].

”I Can’t—Anyway”

Biden lost his train of thought on a gun law. “The idea I had to fight to get that done? Domestic—convicted domestic abusers were not allowed, under the law I wrote, that’s saying the—they can’t own a weapon. And so we—in addition to that, we finally got it passed. I can’t—anyway. [ Laughter ]” he said [1].

He then repeated a campaign vow. “But I will not stop until I ban assault weapons again and high-capacity magazines. Not a joke. That doesn’t abuse the Second Amendment,” Biden said [1].

”We’re Actually Cutting the Deficit Too”

On spending, Biden said: “Which I might add, my Republican friends tell me we’re spending a lot of money? It’s saving billions of dollars—[ laughter ]—saving billions of dollars. We’re actually cutting the deficit too.” [1]

“My Four Granddaughters”

Near the end, Biden spoke of “a future for my daughter and my four granddaughters. And by the way, they’re smart—they’re incredible. You should meet my granddaughters. [ Laughter ] Oh, you think I’m kidding. I’m not.” [1]

By the Washington Examiner’s count, “Hunter Biden is the father of five children. He has three daughters with his ex-wife Kathleen Buhle — Naomi, Finnegan, and Maisy.” Hunter’s daughter with Lunden Roberts, Navy, is a fourth [4]. Biden has also named Beau Biden’s daughter, Natalie, as a granddaughter. For his earlier miscount, see HYGO News’ page on April 27, 2023.

He ended with a promise as he signed an executive order on women’s health research. “Mark my words, in 4 years, you’re going to see significant change in women’s health. I promise you.” [1]

By the Numbers

2: White House corrections in the transcript [1].
17,000: miles Biden said he traveled with Xi [1].
312-226: the 2024 Electoral College result, Donald Trump over Kamala Harris [2].

What Happened Next

The election did not go his way. On July 21, 2024, Biden wrote that “I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down” [3]. The woman he called “this woman to my left here” then lost to Donald Trump. The National Archives lists the 2024 result as “Electoral Vote Winner: 312 Main Opponent: 226.” [2]

For how many times Biden told the 17,000-miles story, see HYGO News’ page on the official record. For the White House’s deficit claims, see the page on May 30, 2023.